Dear Comrade Herman!

It seems to me that with regard to the attitude of the Latvian S.D. [Social Democrats] toward the RSDLP (in the person of the CC [Central Committee] — toward our faction of the RSDLP — if your legitimists prefer, those wishing somewhat to "come to terms" with the liquidators) an important moment has arrived.

Here clarity and honesty are needed.

In 1911-1914 the Latvians (their CC) were liquidators.

At the 1914 congress* they appeared as opponents of liquidationism, but remained neutral between the OC [Organization Committee] and the CC.

Now, after Brussels, after resolution No. 32 of *Trudovaya Pravda*,349 the Latvians wish to enter our Party, to conclude an agreement with the CC.

Is this good?

It is good if one clearly understands what one is doing and conducts oneself honestly toward it.

* At the IV Congress of the Social-Democracy of the Latvian Region. — Ed.

It is bad if one acts without clear understanding, without firm resolution and reckoning of consequences.

Whoever wishes legitimacy in the sense of restoring the Stockholm-London (1906-1907) RSDLP had better not enter our Party: nothing but squabbles, disappointments, offenses, and mutual obstruction will result. That was a "federation of the worst type" (as stated in the resolution of the January conference of the RSDLP, 1912).350 That is rot. Down with this rot!

If one is to defend the remnants of federalism (for example, the Stockholm agreement and the delegation from the Latvian CC to the Russian CC),351 then what is the point of all this fuss! We shall not, in my opinion, agree to this. This is a game, Tyshkist diplomacy (which the scoundrels from the Polish opposition, who have gone over to the liquidators in Brussels, are now imitating), and not comradely work. Is there principled agreement between us? Yes or no? If yes, then we must go forward together against (1) liquidationism, — (2) "nationalism" (= (a) "cultural-national autonomy" and (b) the separatism of the Bund), — (3) against federalism.

Since January 1912 we have clearly, openly, before all the workers of Russia, cast aside these banners. That is no small amount of time. It was possible and necessary to sort things out.

Let us come to an agreement — if we are to come to an agreement — clearly and honestly. Playing hide-and-seek, in my view, is inappropriate and unworthy. We are waging a serious struggle: arrayed against us are all the bourgeois intellectuals, liquidators, nationalists and separatists of the Bund, federalists both open and concealed. Either we conclude an agreement against all these enemies, or it is better to postpone matters.

Better to limit ourselves to an engagement than to bind ourselves in marriage if there is no complete confidence in the strength of the union!!

All this is my personal opinion.

But I very much wish to come into harmony with you and to achieve clarity. If in Brussels we agreed on essentials, — we can and must ask ourselves, without diplomacy, whether we can reach agreement on a firm contract.